Insect exterminator



Sept. 13, 1938. e; H. SLAUGHTER INSECT EXTERMINATOR Filed April 2, 1936 lizz/iz for;

Wis/[4y 6120/" ef/Jla Patented Sept. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES INSECT EXTERMINATOR George H. Slaughter, Benton Harbor, Mich., as-

signor of one-half to Leo R. Beardsley, Benton Harbor, Mich.

Application April 2, 1936, Serial No. 72,280

3 Claims.

This invention relates to insect exterminators. The principal object of this invention is the provision of novel means for exterminating moths in carpets and for treating carpets so as to prevent them from becoming infested with moths.

Another object is the provision of a downwardly opening channel or conduit extending over and along the edge portions of carpets, into which an exterminating medium may be introduced and permitted to spread into the carpet.

Another object is to provide a downwardly opening channel or conduit above the edge portions of a carpet, having one or more inlet openings through which an insect exterminating gas or other suitable exterminating medium may be introduced into the channel or conduit, from which it enters the carpet and destroys the moths.

Another object is to provide a channel or conduit, as above described, with an inlet opening having suitable connections, whereby to attach a charging instrument for forcing the exterminating medium into the channel or conduit.

Another object is to provide a novel method of exterminating moths in carpets.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of this specification, and with all of such objects and advantages in view, this invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed,

One exemplification of the invention is clearly illustrated in the drawing accompanying this specification, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a fragmental, perspective view, illustrating a corner of a room equipped with exterminating means embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail, vertical, cross-section, taken through a base board, quarter round and flooring, illustrating the application of the invention to a carpet;

Fig. 3 is a detail, vertical, cross-section, illustrating a connection with a charging instrument;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental, horizontal section, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section, illustrating a slight modification.

Referring to said drawing, and first to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the reference character 5 designates a fragment of the floor of a room, 6 fragments of the walls or partitions thereof, and I the base boards or mop boards, all of conventional form.

Fastened to the base boards, as by screws or other fastening elements 8, are molding strips or quarter rounds 9. A fragment of a carpet is illustrated at I0 and, as shown, extends underneath the moldings or quarter rounds to or almost to the base boards. The carpet is fasteneddown by carpet tacks I I, or otherwise, as is well understood.

I'he molding strips 9 may be formed of wood, metal or other suitable material, and have narrow edge portions I2, I3, that contact respectively with the base boards and carpet, thereby leaving hollow spaces I4 above the carpet below the underside of the molding strips.

In the simple form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the usual corner portion of the quarter round is cut away, whereby, when it is fastened in place on the base board with its lower edge engaged with the carpet, a channel or conduit is provided between the base board, quarter round and floor, which channel or conduit may extend throughout the length of the quarter rounds in the room and may join at the corners thereof, as is seen in Fig. 4.

At desirable places along the lengths of the molding or quarter rounds 9, inlet openings I5 to the channels or conduits are provided, through which the exterminating medium is introduced into the channels or conduits. Holes may be bored in the quarter rounds to provide inlet openings, and threaded nipples I6 may be screwed into the holes. Threaded plugs, caps or other stoppers Il may be screwed into or upon the nipples to close the inlets. The exterminating medium used may be of a gaseous, crystal or powder form, and under certain circumstances, a liquid exterminator may be used.

For introducing the exterminating medium into the channels or conduits, any suitable instrument or tool may be used for blowing or otherwise forcing the exterminating medium into the channels and the threaded nipples I6 provide means whereby the instrument may be coupled to the quarter rounds. For the purpose of illustration, a piece of flexible tubing I8, provided with a threaded nipple I9, is shown in Fig. 3 connected with the nipple I6. The tubing I8 leads to or forms a part of the charging instrument (not shown).

To treat the carpet against moths, or to exterminate any moths that may have entered the carpet adjacent the edge portion thereof, a plug I1 is unscrewed from an inlet, the instrument charged with the exterminating medium, is attached to the nipple I6, and if a gas is used the gas is pumped into the channel or conduit I I, or if a crystal or powder exterminating medium is used, a quantity of it is forced into the channel. The instrument is then detached from the quarter round and the inlet closed by attaching the plug thereto.

Inasmuch as the channel or conduit opens to the edge portion of the carpet, the latter becomes impregnated with the exterminating medium which spreads into the carpet and destroys the moths. By providing inlets to the channels or conduits at various places around the room, it is possible to apply the exterminating medium directly at such places. Moths are most likely to occupy dark places. Davenports or other large pieces of furniture which stand close to the walls of the room furnish dark places underneath them, and by providing inlets at places usually occupied by such pieces of furniture, the exterminating medium may be applied directly to such places.

In Fig. 5 the molding or quarter round 9 is shown as composed of sheet metal rolled into shape. In this case the edge portion l2 may extend down to the floor of the room and the edge portion l3 is raised slightly so as to. permit the carpet to extend underneath it. In this form it is immaterial whether or not the base board extends down to the floor because the edge portion 12* extends to the floor, whereby the molding itself provides a channel or conduit which opens out at its lower side to the edge portion of the carpet. An inlet I6 is provided, as in the other form above described.

It is to be understood that the means shown, with the use of suitable insecticides, may be used for exterminating other insects, such as collect around base boards.

More or less variation of the exact details of construction is possible without departing from the spirit of this invention. I desire, therefore, not to limit myself to the exact form of the construction shown and described, but intend, in the following claims, to point out all of the invention disclosed herein.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An insect exterminator for carpets, comprising a floor upon which the carpet is laid, a. base board, and a quarter round secured to the base board with its lower edge spaced from the floor and contacting with the edge portion of the carpet, there being a channel formed between the base board, quarter round and floor for receiving an exterminating medium, and the quarter round having an inlet opening through which the exterminating medium is introduced to the channel,- and a closure for said inlet opening.

2. An insect exterminator, comprising a quarter round, having edge portions for engaging a base board and carpet, and there being a free space extending the length of the quarter round between the base board and quarter round for receiving an exterminating medium, the quarter round having an inlet opening provided with connecting means for connection with a charging instrument and adapted to receive a closure element.

3. An insect exterminator for carpets, comprising a sheet metal channelled quarter round, having an upright side, adapted to be placed against a base board with its lower edge adapted to contact with the floor of a room, and another side, the lower edge of which is spaced above the floor to permit the edge portion of a carpet to extend thereunder, said quarter round having an inlet through which an exterminating medium may be introduced into the channel, and a closure for said inlet opening.

GEORGE H. SLAUGHTER. 

